What the water looks like from above
On the surface the Blue Hole looks simple: a round opening in the rock shelf that fills and drains with the swell, ringed by pale limestone and a lot of very clear blue water. Below, it is a more complicated place. Wind and waves have worked at this coast for centuries, and the result is a vertical shaft that connects to the open sea through an archway under the water.
That structure explains why it is among the best-known dive sites on Gozo. The hole gives a sheltered way in, and the archway gives you a reason to go down.
The dive itself
Divers enter the water at the hole and descend to the archway, which starts at 8 metres. Its top is flat and almost square, a shape that stands out against the rounded forms of most natural rock arches. The surface of the stone is covered in golden cup coral, Parazoanthus axinellae, an encrusting species that glows yellow when a torch is pointed at it.
At the bottom of the hole, to the left of the entry point, there is a large cavern. It rewards a few quiet minutes at its mouth, when your eyes adjust and shapes start to show on the walls. The usual cavern rules apply: never go beyond the limit of daylight without proper training and equipment, keep your fins off the bottom to avoid silt, and stay with your buddy and guide.
The best dives here do not rush. Slow descents and wall-hugging turns give you the cup coral, small fish and the light play at the archway. Divers with a camera should bring a wide lens and keep strobes pointing away from the coral.
Planning around the sea
The Dwejra coast faces open water, and conditions can change within hours. A sheltered entry does not guarantee an easy exit if swell builds, so dive centres monitor the forecast and choose days carefully. If your booked day is cancelled, take the decision as a sign of competence and not a nuisance.
Water temperature in the Maltese islands swings through the year, warmest in late summer and coolest in late winter. A 5 mm wetsuit is common in colder months, and many divers opt for a semi-dry or drysuit in winter. Rental gear is normally available from the centre.
Visibility is generally good around the islands, which is part of the draw. Mornings are often calmer than afternoons and give better light for the archway.
Who this suits
The site suits certified divers who are comfortable with buoyancy and want a varied dive in a short span of space: entry, archway, cavern and wall in one profile. It is less useful for complete beginners, who are better served by gentle shore sites that the dive centre can recommend.
Qualified divers visiting Gozo for the first time often start here for a simple reason: the geology is easy to read. You see what the sea has done to the rock, and you can follow it from the surface down.
Beyond the water
Even if you do not dive, the Dwejra area is worth a visit. The Inland Sea and its tunnel sit close by, and the coastline there is one of the most photographed in Gozo. The famous Azure Window, which stood beside the Blue Hole, collapsed in 2017, so older photographs no longer match what you see. The scenery has changed but the rock formations around the hole are still dramatic, and the Blue Hole remains a major attraction for divers.
The Inland Sea lagoon is a short walk away, and a dive there offers a different kind of experience, passing through a tunnel to open sea. Combining the two across a weekend is a standard plan for visiting divers.
Practical points
Book with a licensed dive operator, arrive with your certification card and logbook, and be ready to discuss your recent dive history. Check the centre’s current prices and times directly, since they change. Bring a towel, water, and a warm layer for the surface interval, because the coast is exposed to wind.
Allow half a day including briefing, kitting up, the dive and a rest before the drive back. If you are staying on Malta, take an early ferry from Cirkewwa to give yourself a margin, and pair the dive with a walk along the Dwejra coast in the afternoon.
Finish the day with a meal in Victoria or Marsalforn, and expect to sleep well.
